Men found guilty following ATM attacks

Three men were found guilty in in relation to a number of ATM attacks in the North East at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

Robin Vaughan (43), Joseph McHale (38) and Kevin Schruyers (42), all from Liverpool, were found guilty of crimes including one incident in New Deer in September whereby more than £21,000 was stolen.

McHale and Schruyers were also found guilty in relation to attempted ATM thefts at Mintlaw in August 2013, Ellon in October 2013 and Stonehaven, Inverurie and Bucksburn in the same month.

The pair have also been found guilty of theft by house-breaking at Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, South Deeside Road, Aberdeen in October 2013 whereby a quantity of clothing, golf equipment and money were taken.

Chief Inspector Graeme Mackie, who was the Senior investigating Officer, said: “I would like to acknowledge the conviction of these three individuals, who will be sentenced at a later date, and welcome this highly positive result.

“These incidents were high profile and caused a great deal of concern to the communities of the North East during 2013. This was a complex Police enquiry and involved a number of specialist Police officers and joint working between Police Scotland, Police forces in England and other partner agencies.

“I would like to commend the effort and work undertaken by all the officers involved in this enquiry and also the public, whose assistance was vital.

“We are committed to making the North East a hostile environment for serious crime and to disrupting and dismantling organised criminality. Tackling serious organised criminals remains one of the highest priorities for Police Scotland and we remain determined to reduce the harm they inflict on our communities.

“There is no place for serious organised crime in Scotland and there will be no let-up in our efforts.”

All three accused have been remanded in custody and are expected to be sentenced on June 16.